A TERRIFIC TESTIMONY

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong (2 Cor. 12:10).WOW! That’s quite a testimony. I wonder how many people could honestly say the same. To endure hardships is one thing, to enjoy life while doing so is another. Considering all that Paul suffered it seemed impossible that he could cheerfully bear up under the heavy load. Just think about what Paul was saying. A. B. Simpson was trying to help us do just that when he wrote the following:

“The literal translation of this verse gives a startling emphasis to it, and makes it speak for itself with a force that we have probably never realized. Here It is: “Therefore I take pleasure in being without strength, in insults, in being pinched, in being chased about, in being cooped up in a corner for Christ’s sake; for when I am without strength, then am I dynamite.”

Here is the secret of Divine all-sufficiency, to come to the end of everything in ourselves and in our circumstances. When we reach this place, we will stop asking for sympathy because of our hard situation or bad treatment, for we will recognize these things as the very conditions of our blessing, and we will turn from them to God and find in them a claim upon Him.

George Matheson, the well-known blind preacher of Scotland, —-, said: “My God, I have never thanked Thee for my thorn. I have thanked Thee a thousand times for my roses, but not once for my thorn. I have been looking forward to a world where I shall get compensation for my cross; but I have never thought of my cross as itself a present glory.

Teach me the glory of my cross; teach me the value of my thorn. Show me that I have climbed to Thee by the path of pain. Show me that my tears have made my rainbows.”

About Pastor David Stone

Welcome to Lakeway Baptist Church

Please accept this as your invitation to attend our services. At Lakeway you will find genuine Christian fellowship, heartfelt singing, straight-forward Bible preaching and dedicated teachers who will take a sincere interest in you and your family. We would be delighted to have you in our services. If you have any questions about the church or are in need of spiritual guidance please feel free to contact us.